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Cape Town - If baby Rhino Thor could talk, he would tell you about the trauma he endured after losing his mother at the hands of poachers and how he himself, almost died.
He would also tell you how Care for Wild Africa and ER24 saved his life.
Petronel Nieuwoudt, the founder of Care for Wild Africa which is based in Mpumalanga, said Thor, an eight-month-old black rhino, suffered severe dehydration recently.
“I went to a fundraising dinner. While there, I received a message stating Thor was unwell.
“Thor was in a bad condition. It was difficult to stabilise him. His blood sugar was low. I told people at the farm to put a drip on him. They said there was no way this could be done because there were no drips left. I thought the best thing to do was call ER24. The most amazing thing happened that evening,” said Nieuwoudt.
She spoke to Marius Koekemoer, the Northern Regional manager, who suggested she come to the base and pick up medication.
When she arrived at the base Koekemoer told her that he was going off duty and would go back to the farm with her to help.
“I was in shock. Thor is close to me. I needed help. We rushed back to the farm. It felt like a movie,” said Nieuwoudt. On arrival, they rushed to Thor to stabilise him.
They rehydrated him with dextrose and milk. They were unsuccessful in the initial use of an intravenous drip however were able to insert one later on.
“Thor was dying. The only way to save him was to get fluids into him and get his glucose levels up. I just sat there and watched the miracle unfold in front of me. It was such a relief. ER24 is not only about saving people. The wonder and magic around Thor is part of the ER24 story. I cannot thank them enough. Koekemoer was brilliant, caring and magnificent,” said Nieuwoudt.
Since the treatment, Thor has been doing well. Nieuwoudt said he was moved to a bigger enclosure and now weighs 130 kilogrammes.
ER24's Andrew Boden and Thor
Thor’s horrific past
Thor is one of several baby rhinos that have suffered as a result of poachers. His mother’s horn was taken after she was shot. She suffered for a week. Thor was by her side. When she was found she had to be put down. Thor was thin and dehydrated. He was taken to the Care for Wild Africa farm. “He almost died. He stopped breathing in the helicopter when he was rescued,” said Nieuwoudt.
Poaching
Statistics released by the Department of Environmental Affairs in November show that 1020 rhinos have been killed since 1 January 2014.
Mr Andrew Boden, the Chief Executive Officer of ER24, said poaching leaves rhinos is a horrific state. “With horns showing more value than cocaine it is no fault of their own that they have become targets. People do not know which organisations to support. Care for Wild Africa works closely with the Kruger National Park and Mpumalanga Parks Board. That endorsement makes us comfortable and this is why we support them.
“I visited Care for Wild Africa in July. I then decided to get ER24 involved. We donate equipment, medication and other necessities. We are also working on an adopt a rhino campaign,” said Boden.
Talking about those that survive but undergo severe injuries and trauma, Koekemoer, an animal lover, said, “Animals experience the same symptoms and show the same signs as people do when undergo trauma. However, they are more difficult to treat.
“If they do not receive the necessary attention they could die. It is a bit more difficult to treat animals because they cannot talk. They cannot tell you how they are feeling. What is being done to rhinos by poachers is outrageous. However, there are a lot of organisations which are trying their best to help rhinos.”
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